Lever Action Advice

[Sgt Dog]

I’ve probably sold 25-30 Marlins. I really like the 336-A. They are available in 30-30, 32Special and 35 Rem. All good choices and you can still find good value buys on gunbroker, pre-Remlin of course. I really like the old Waffle tops and did keep one of those in 35 Rem. Other than an STBL in the last year of JM models I only kept some turn of the century 1883s, a 1884 (1906 vintage) and a 1892 in 22. Got infected with a Marlin Ballard bug so that’s where the money went.

I’ve had several Cowboys -thise were some nice rifles!! One Marlin I still remember for how it shot was an 1895SS microgroove in 45-70! The pre-1983 rifles ( I think) are pre-cross-bolt safety.

I cast all my own bullets so never fiddled with jacketed bullets except for the LeverRevolution for a brief period. Those shot well, whether store-bought or handloaded.

 

[Sgt Dog]

I’ve posted this before but doesn’t hurt to toss it in on any levergun thread. Just a great shot of 600yrs accumulated age. They all still shoot fantastic too!

 

[Trooper Joe]

In 1966 (before the Cowboy action interest in leverguns) I had a friend convert a 32-20 SRC into a .357/.38 carbine for me. I carried this gun on patrol as a Michigan Trooper at the Flint Post. The gun was perfect as a patrol rifle since we could use our .38 Special rounds if we had to as well as the .357 rounds.

In the mid 90’s after I retired, I got back into lever guns and discovered that the Cowboy action shooting sport was responsible for the creation of many fantastic lever guns and renewed interest in them.

I am now the proud owner of the following samples:

Browning .22 LR
Browning B53, 32-20
Chiappa Model 92, 44-40 SRC
Henry Brass Big Boy, .44 Mag, Michigan State Police 100th Anniversary model
Marlin 1894 CS, 38/.357
Marlin 1894-P, .44 Mag., trapper length barrel
Marlin 336Y,, 30-30
Rossi, M92, 16” barrel, .357 Mag
Rossi, M92, 16” barrel, .45 Colt
Winchester 1894 (XRT), 30-30 (Mfg 1987/ pre cross bolt safety)
Winchester 1894, 30-30, Mfg 1952
Winchester 1894, .32 Special, Mfg pre-1964
Winchester/Miroku 1892, 32-20
Winchester 1894 SRC, “Trapper”, .45 Colt Mfg 1990 (year before cross bolt safety)
Winchester 9422M, .22 Magnum
Winchester/Miroku model 1873, .357 Magnum
Winchester/Miroku 1894, SRC 20” barrel, 38-55

Looking for an 1894 Marlin in .32 H&R Magnum so that I can convert it into a .327 Magnum. I had a Henry model of .327 Magnum but sold it. I should have kept that one.

I love lever guns (if a rifle doesn’t have a lever, it is not really a gun ). I also think they would make great PC LEO patrol rifles.

Just some thoughts,

Trooper Joe

 

[Sgt Dog]

Thought those following this thread might find this enjoyable. Two close friends, the one shooting has passed away since. That diamond is hard to run a streak on. The corners seem to have a magnetic pull on cast bullets. Best I ever did was 12 straight but that was with a Marlin Ballard in 32-40 if I remember correctly. Note the Montana Vintage Arms (MVA) sights. Spendy but essential. Both Wind and that Cowboy in 38-55 were good shooters. Saw him hit at 400 yds over his shoulder with a mirror once. Good friend who did more than anyone I ever knew fort the sport.

 

[okietom]

Marlin has started shipping new Ruger made 1895 45-70s. Some one I trust got to test a new production model and claims better fit and finish than older Marilns. The 336 and 1894 are next in line for production runs. They are going to make Marlin’s full line with more coming in the future. I am hoping on a production model 39.

 

[Cowbaby]

I don't care how many rounds of ammo I spray through an Automatic rifle, How many 22lrs I send down a pump action or how many rounds I crank out of a bolt gun, there is just something about flat cowboy up and grab that lever gun for fun chootin and I don't care who ya are.
I guess its just in a man's psyche to just feel right about jacking another round in with a lever. Maybe it's just so much a part of our heritage it makes you feel good. Might be just the handiness of it all.
But whatever it is there will never become a day when I don't own at least one lever action rifle. If I am just going out to make a quick round for an hour or two, they are the ones that always seem to end up in my hand for some reason and I have a lot of other choices.

Stick to the main brands and you can't go wrong. Marlins for the scoped man, Winchesters for the balance and fast handling, Savage for the smoothness. Browning for quality. and good ole Henry if you like something new. I prefer the Winchesters and Marlins myself but that is of no relevance, It is what you prefer.
There is just something about going all Hickok 45 with an old cowboy rifle that will never die. It is just who we were and are as a people I think.
A Lever Action is as much a part of us as baseball and apple pie.

 

[Cat City Slim]

In 1966 (before the Cowboy action interest in leverguns) I had a friend convert a 32-20 SRC into a .357/.38 carbine for me. I carried this gun on patrol as a Michigan Trooper at the Flint Post. The gun was perfect as a patrol rifle since we could use our .38 Special rounds if we had to as well as the .357 rounds.

In the mid 90’s after I retired, I got back into lever guns and discovered that the Cowboy action shooting sport was responsible for the creation of many fantastic lever guns and renewed interest in them.

I am now the proud owner of the following samples:

Browning .22 LR
Browning B53, 32-20
Chiappa Model 92, 44-40 SRC
Henry Brass Big Boy, .44 Mag, Michigan State Police 100th Anniversary model
Marlin 1894 CS, 38/.357
Marlin 1894-P, .44 Mag., trapper length barrel
Marlin 336Y,, 30-30
Rossi, M92, 16” barrel, .357 Mag
Rossi, M92, 16” barrel, .45 Colt
Winchester 1894 (XRT), 30-30 (Mfg 1987/ pre cross bolt safety)
Winchester 1894, 30-30, Mfg 1952
Winchester 1894, .32 Special, Mfg pre-1964
Winchester/Miroku 1892, 32-20
Winchester 1894 SRC, “Trapper”, .45 Colt Mfg 1990 (year before cross bolt safety)
Winchester 9422M, .22 Magnum
Winchester/Miroku model 1873, .357 Magnum
Winchester/Miroku 1894, SRC 20” barrel, 38-55

Looking for an 1894 Marlin in .32 H&R Magnum so that I can convert it into a .327 Magnum. I had a Henry model of .327 Magnum but sold it. I should have kept that one.

I love lever guns (if a rifle doesn’t have a lever, it is not really a gun ). I also think they would make great PC LEO patrol rifles.

Just some thoughts,

Trooper Joe

I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy! That collection makes me feel inadequate as a human being.

 

[montesa]

Is there a consensus on who makes the most reliable lever action?

 

[okietom]

Ruger is making sure that markings on the new Marlins show clearly they are made by Ruger. Their web site has pictures showing the difference. The one I saw tested has a threaded barrel and several things Ruger claims they improved.

 

[Prairie Traveler]

Although as a "young man", I thought Winchester levers were the way to go, I now have two Marlins, a 336SC, in 35 Rem. c1955, and an 1889 Marlin rifle in .32-20, {not sure of the exact year}. The 32-20 needs to have it's barrel re-lined, but it shoots well enough for CAS ranges. I've wanted a Savage 99 in .303 Savage for quite some time, but they are a little scarce, and pricy right now.